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Activin-treated ectoderm has complete organizing center activity in Cynops embryos
H Ninomiya1, T Ariizumi, M Asashima
1Department of Life Science (Biology), The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan.
Development, Growth & Differentiation
|May 8, 1998
Summary
Activin A-treated newt ectoderm can act as a complete organizing center. Transplanted ectoderm induced secondary axes, differentiating into various embryonic tissues, demonstrating its potent developmental role.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryology
- Cell differentiation
Background:
- The role of signaling molecules in embryonic development is crucial.
- Activin A is known to influence cell fate decisions in early embryos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the organizer activity of newt ectoderm treated with activin A.
- To determine if activin-treated ectoderm can function as a complete embryonic organizing center.
Main Methods:
- Explantation and transplantation experiments were performed on newt embryos.
- Ectoderm was dissected from embryos at specific developmental stages (late morulae-early gastrulae).
- Treated ectoderm was exposed to a high concentration of activin A (100 ng/mL).
Main Results:
- Activin A-treated ectoderm primarily formed endodermal cells, with limited mesodermal tissue formation in explants.
- Transplanted ectoderm into the blastocoele induced secondary axes with posterior characters.
- Transplantation into the ventral marginal zone induced complete secondary axes, differentiating into foregut structures.
Conclusions:
- Activin-treated ectoderm exhibits significant organizing center activity in newt embryos.
- This ectoderm can induce complete secondary axes and differentiate into diverse embryonic tissues.
- The findings highlight activin A's role in specifying embryonic organizing centers.